ST. BONIFACIUS, Minn. – After a much-needed bye week following a difficult non-conference slate, the University of Northwestern Football team was healthier and refreshed as it headed to Crown College to kick off its conference season. The Eagles took to the air much more than in previous games with starting quarterback
Cody Duffy (Columbus, Ga./Chattahoochee County) on the field for the first time this season, but weren't able to overcome a fast and tenacious Polars defense, falling 22-3 for their third-ever loss to Crown and the first since 2010.
The Polars got the ball first and used 14 plays and 7:45 of clock to go 75 yards into the end zone on a six-yard scamper by quarterback Jamarrius Courtney, who finished the game with 149 rushing yards. The extra point was missed, keeping the score at 6-0. The Northwestern offense went three-and-out on its first series but the defense forced a three-and-out as well on Crown's ensuing drive. UNW was able to cross midfield the next time it had the ball on a 20-yard connection between Duffy and
Tate Westin (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie), then moved inside the red zone on a 16-yard catch by
Trey Ulmer (West Melbourne, Fla./Heritage). The drive stalled out, but
Gideon Cruver (Fayetteville, Ga./Landmark Christian) booted a 33-yard field goal to make it 6-3.
The next time the Eagles got the ball, they had excellent field position at midfield. Duffy connected with Ulmer again for 15 yards, and a penalty on the defense moved the ball to the 20-yard line. However, Northwestern was not able to advance it much further, and had a 35-yard field goal that would have tied the game blocked. The teams traded punts until Crown was able to add another touchdown with 2:45 left in the first half on a 14-yard reception, making the score 13-3. That score would hold for the remainder of the half, as UNW's next drive into opposing territory was upended by consecutive mishandled snaps.
Northwestern received the ball to begin the second half and appeared to be marching again after
Braeden Little (Ladysmith, Wis./Ladysmith) caught a 16-yard pass, but the Eagles once again had to settle for a punt. The defense responded by forcing a turnover on downs, and the offense got right back to work, as Duffy hit Little twice, and Westin, Ulmer and
Ashton Lofton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Colorado Springs Christian) each once to ultimately bring up a 4
th and 2 at the Crown 22. Duffy called his own number and converted with an eight-yard dash, but UNW soon found itself facing another fourth down after a near-touchdown catch by
Will Schleicher (Victoria, Minn./Chanhassen) was spoiled by a great defensive play.
Erich Hulshizer (Casper, Wyo./Kelly Walsh) attempted a 28-yard field goal to pull within one possession, but the Polars once again got through and blocked it.
Crown tacked on a field goal with 10:42 remaining in the fourth to extend its lead to 16-3, and the Eagles' offense was unable to answer with points of their own. A 76-yard touchdown run by Courtney all but sealed the 22-3 homecoming win for the hosts as they improved to 2-2 on the season and Northwestern dropped to 0-4.
Duffy used his arm early and often, completing 21 of 35 passes for 245 yards and an interception. Ulmer hauled in seven receptions for 99 yards, Westin caught five passes for 67 yards, and Little had seven catches for 65 yards. Lofton led the rushing attach with 22 yards on 12 carries. Defensively,
Ian Ahrendt (Nevis, Minn./Nevis Public) led the way with 12 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.
Michael Montoya (Pueblo, Colo./Central) logged the only sack for the UNW defense, while
Wes Schlabach (Spearfish, S.D./Rapid City Christian),
Ryan Sommerlot (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area) and Cruver each tallied a TFL and
Angelo Johnson (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) had 0.5. Schleicher had a long punt of 52 yards, the longest of his career.
The Eagles will host Greenville on Homecoming Saturday, October 11
th at noon.
